Tuesday's Winner and other contests

Kiss! The winner of a signed copy of Pretties is... Ambeen! Thanks for checking out readergirlz--I have a live chat scheduled with them for August 28th, so tune in then (don't worry--I'll remind you again!).I've been guest blogging all over, so I'm tired and that is my news for today. Tonight is the book party so I'll post photos later this week. Don't forget to start thinking about your entry for The Big Contest! And remember, there's still time to enter the contests from last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. And a few places you can still win a copy of Violet in Private (hopefully this doesn't stall you buying it--haha): Tera Lynn Childs is blogging about sports in honor of the Olympics and her awesome novel Oh. My. Gods., which was optioned by Ashley Tisdale (amazing!). Today's sport is basketball, so Violet is once again used for her height. Win the book here. Teens Read Too (tons of great books to win!) Oh, and here are some other great contests that are still going on: Stephanie Kuehnert's Tour Contest. The Shooting Stars Book Contest ($130 gift certificate, people!) PS-I just liked those glitter lips. They have no relevance. The teeth are kind of weird though. My friend Charles just recently told me that I have inordinately small teeth, and now I'm self-conscious about it. Thanks, Charles! Haha.

Rule Book: The August VIOLET IN PRIVATE Contest

Okay, so I've been hinting at this big contest, and here it is!I got a ton of awesome fashion and beauty companies to donate products for my NYC Book Party gift bag. The party is tomorrow night, and while I know most of you can't attend (it's in a bar, it's in NYC... sorry!), you will have a chance to win the full gift bag (with 20 pieces of amazing SWAG in it!). Starting tomorrow, I'll blog about each product in the gift bag so you can get excited. The contest will end September 1st. So how do you enter this fabulous contest, you may ask? Easy. Well, sort of easy. You have to make a tribute to Violet somehow. That's very vague, I know, but I really want you to do whatever is fun for you and makes you creative. Some Ideas: knit me a violet cupcake (yes, that's the picture here!), make a Violet flipbook on flip.com, write a Violet poem, create a missing scene from Violet's life, post a virtual Violet collage, film a vlog or video trailer for any or all of the books, make a playlist that reminds you of the books, sketch a fashion design for Violet. You can even just take a photo with Violet in your bookstore or library, holding up the book and striking a pose! Or re-enact your favorite cover and send me the photo. Or be Veronica or Sam or Kurt or Roger or Angela or whomever and send in a photo! Or wear violet clothes for seven days straight and send me photos! Okay, you get the idea. And if you haven't had a chance to read the books (Why not?? Just kidding.), you can create something you think relates to Violet, like write your own first chapter based on what you know, or make your own version of the book cover. Now, when you've got your entry ready, email it to me in whatever form you can (melissacwalker2 AT gmail DOT com). On September 1, I will start looking at everything, and that week, I'll declare a winner who will get a FULL gift bag. You wanted a contest based on skill... you got it! However, there will also be at least 10 runners up (and maybe more, depending on how many of you enter). And they will all get one item each from the gift bag, or a book I think they should read... don't worry--runners up prizes will be awesome too. And I'd love permission to post what you create, so let me know in the email if that's okay, and then I'll showcase reader creations once a week for a while on the blog. I think that sounds fun. So... get to it! And remember, my ideas are just a brainstorm--do anything you want that's a tribute to Violet. Are you going to enter? I hope so! And thanks so much for reading the blog, reading the books and generally being an incredible part of my book-writing life. You guys rock. PS-I did a vlog for Enchanting reviews, so go watch it if you have time--I would so appreciate that! PS-The winner of last Monday's contest is... .. Uh, can you see that little dot to click on? That links to your myspace profile where "." is your name! So send me your address, dot, and I'll send you Death by Bikini!

Cover Stories: Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelley Hall

Did anyone notice that the last page of the New York Times Book Review this week was about... wait for it... Cover Stories! Me and the Times, you know, we think alike. I haven't yet had a chance to read Megan Kelley Hall's Sisters of Misery, but I am pretty sure I'll like it. It's set near Salem, Massachusetts and it's about a girl investigating her cousin's mysterious disappearance when she starts to get hassled by a powerful clique, The Sisters of Mystery, in a modern-day witch hunt. I like witch hunt stories--I'm not gonna lie. Also, I have been totally struck by her gorgeous cover (top photo)! So, I wanted the inside scoop. And here it is: "I knew that I wanted something a little different for my cover--something that would appeal to adults as well as teens. The reason is that my debut suspense novel, SISTERS OF MISERY, is the cornerstone of Kensington's new Young Adult division and I wrote it with the intentions of having crossover appeal. It seems to be working because I've been getting great feedback from both teens and adults! "My editor, Danielle Chiotti, at Kensington is the most amazing editor ever. In my opinion, she went above and beyond what other editors do (this is just from my experience as an independent literary publicist at Kelley & Hall Book Publicity, and hearing second-hand from authors about their working relationships with their editors). She made sure that my input and suggestions were heard in the art department (MW note: See mock-ups that Megan made, at left, to explain what she wanted for the cover). "Then one day, my editor called to tell me she was sending over the jpeg of the cover. She told me that when she saw it she screamed in pure happiness and that the cover gave her chills and she'd already hung it up over her desk. I couldn't wait to see it. When I finally did, I absolutely fell in love. It was very different from any other cover I'd seen before and it WAS Cordelia. I don't know how they did it, but they captured the essence of Cordelia. I loved the colors, I loved the photo, I loved the font. Everything was picture perfect. I have to give a great big shout out to the amazing Kristine Mills-Noble for her incredible cover design. "There wasn't one thing that I would have changed. The only funny thing is that everyone wants to know who the girl on the cover is. For some reason, everyone thinks that it really is 'Cordelia'--despite the fact that Cordelia is a fictional character. Whoever the model is, she's beautiful and perfectly captures the essence of Cordelia LeClaire. "I'm hoping that I won't need to make any suggestions for my next book in the series, THE LOST SISTER. I am eagerly anticipating what the cover will look like. I've sent some stock photos over to them (many can be seen in the slideshow I made on my MySpace page, you can check it out at sistersofmisery.com), so I hope that they will keep my suggestions in mind for the next book. But, if they come close to this cover, I'll be happy. "As for the Sisters of Misery cover, I love the color (the green really stands out), the image of the red-headed girl with the striking yellow flowers tangled in her hair is haunting and beautiful; even the cover model's expression (looking down and very solemn) is in keeping with the themes of the story. We just sold some foreign rights, so I'm curious to see what other countries will do with it. In any case, I'm framing the cover. That pretty much says it all." Great cover story, Megan. I'm excited to read the book! PS-Later today I'll chose a winner for last Monday's contest and announce the BIG contest. Stay tuned...

Pre-party giveaway: Find your theme fragrance

Tomorrow starts the big contest news, but today I had to share this fun opportunity! Below is the email I got from Theme Fragrance. Enter their contest. I think by "why summer" they mean something you love about summer? Not sure. But cool, right? Violet in Private Giveaway! Theme is in the party bag for the release of Melissa Walker's book Violet in Private! The giveaway is the dynamic duo of SARONG and FROLIC... shhhh...and don't tell anyone that you get a third fragrance by blending the two together! (and these are limited edition bottles made just for this book release party) ThemeFragranceViolet Promo how to enter... go to www.themefragrance.com and leave message in the guestbook about "why summer" leave your email so i can contact you. (your email address will not be published or given away...) giveaway ends August 16th. PS-It's Melissa again. Do you guys have signature scents? I used to love Sunflowers in high school... but right now I'm not sure what to wear. I tried Marc Jacobs' Daisy, too. Other suggestions? PPS-Last chance to enter Monday's contest (easy one!) and win Death By Bikini.

Saturday: Someone else's contest. Phew!

I heard this from the awesome Jennifer: YA Librarian.Tonight is the Lifetime premiere of True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet, originally a book by Lola Douglas, who did a Cover Stories post with me last week! Here's the contest: readergirlz.com is giving away four signed copies of the book to the first four unique posts on the thread called True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet Giveaway! So drop by the forum and try to win. While you're there, say hi on the "August" posts to talk about themes relating to Violet in Private (like impossible skinniness in magazines and falling for a best friend)! And speaking of TV, I have a guest post on And Another Book Read where I talk about... TV. (BTW, I love Tasha's header with the polaroids! So cute!) PS-More blogs that welcomed me and Violet. I have to give link love! SF Weekly's Heartless Doll's VIP review Dear Author's Recommendations (including VIP) The Reading Zone's review of Violet on the Runway And Another Book Read's review of VIP Dear Author's review of VIP Ren's interview with me Happy Saturday.

Release Week Prize: Friday 5

In an ode to the fabulous Sarah Dessen's "Friday Five," here is your fifth prize (on a Friday!). It's actually a surprise prize for me, because last night at my reading, my new friend Jessica (who is at, like, every reading in NYC, which rules) gifted me a signed copy of The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci (Author), Jim Rugg (Illustrator). It's a graphic novel, and I read it in one go last night--L.O.V.E. It's art and angst and popularity and geekiness and the limits placed on self-expression. You need this book. And it can be yours! So, here are some other cool places where either Violet or I have shown up this week. Comment away and then come back and tell me to enter you for the number of comments you left (you don't have to visit these sites if you don't want to--though they are pretty great sites if you have time to click around--you can also just comment below, which is good for one entry). My Teen Fiction Cafe post about the release day dress! The Compulsive Reader's Book of the Month (drumroll... VIP!) Harmony Book Reviews' Violet by Design review YA New York's announcement for VIP Teen Book Review's Review of VIP A full series review by Lenore (cool idea!) Sick of me yet? Don't answer that! I'd also love to hear if you guys read graphic novels. I don't usually, for no real reason, but this one was so good, I am going to have to take another look at a bunch of them! If you do read them, which ones are especially awesome? Thanks, and Happy Friday! PS-Oh, and remember that you still have time to enter every contest from last week... just click below! Monday's winner will be announced, you know, on Monday. And so on... PPS-I forgot glitter letters yesterday, which was so lame of me! I don't use them often, but release week needs glitter. Sorry!

Release Week Prize #4: Screwball!

Today's prize, in honor of summer, is a signed copy of Screwball by Keri Mikulski. This book is super sporty, but it also has a great romance storyline, so even we non-athletes can have fun reading about main character Ashley's ups and downs. Now comes the how-to-win-it part. I had an awesome reading last night at Books of Wonder with LISA McMANN, LINDA GERBER, CLAIRE MYSKO, KATIE DAVIS, and JENNY DAVIDSON. It was a packed house, which is a great feeling for us authors (thanks to all who came!). They even put a big shelf of all of our books in the front! There's me with the Violet books at knee level. Anyway, since we can't all meet in person, for this contest your task is to visit me virtually. Lots of cool people have hosted me this week for release week, so here are a few links where you can go and leave love. Then come back here and tell me who you visited and how many comments you spread around. The more comments you leave, the more entries you get--do what you have time for and what's fun. Then tell me your final count here and I'll enter you that many times to win Keri's book! Where to find me (and/or stuff about the books--there are some contests in here too, including a full signed set of Violet books): Hope's Bookshelf. Four posts here! Contest, Interview, Review of VIP and Guest Blog about fashion secrets! Alexa Young gives love Read, Read, Read contest Megan's review of VIP Book Chic's contest (and review of Sarah Beth Durst's Into the Wild, which I really wanna read!) Beyond Books interview and review of VIP Uhh... maybe do this over a few days. Even I'm sick of me! (And I'm gonna give you a similar task tomorrow.) You've got a full week to enter, so feel free to stop back a few times. And if you don't like reviews, I've indicated which ones are reviews so you can steer clear. And don't forget to enter Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's contests. Each one runs for a full week.

Release week Win-It Wednesday!

Last week's prize was the gift bag from the Prospect Park Soiree that I went to in July... and I loved hearing about all your various summer parties. I think even talking about parties makes me happy. And the winner is... Melissa! Send me your address, M. This week, your prize is a signed copy of Justina Chen Headley's fantastic Girl Overboard, which pretty much has it all: family, snowboarding, community service, dim sum and friend-love (yes!). To win a copy of the book, you have a fun mission: Take this quiz by LaToya Evans ("What's your Spare Time Read?") and tell me what book you get... I thought I knew where I'd end up, but I got The Luxe (which I still haven't read--oops)! It must be that amazing ball gown that I dream of owning. And don't forget to enter Monday's and Tuesday's contests too. It's true that I'm giving you a lot of tasks here, but it's still summer, right? Get to it! PS-Come to Books of Wonder tonight if you're in the New York area! Six awesome authors (and me!).

VIP release day! Win Pretties and visit Readergirlz

It's day 2 of the release party, and the official in-store date for Violet in Private! You still have a week to enter yesterday's contest, and, actually, you still have a day to enter last week's Win-It-Wednesday contest too. Phew. So much to win I'm almost sweating. Anyway, today's prize is a signed copy of Scott Westerfeld's Pretties. I'm sure you guys know this series, but it's a fast-paced adventure in a future where, on your 16th birthday, you have an operation to make you "pretty." Follow Tally and her rebel friends as they fight to change their world. To win the book, show some love for readergirlz.com. I'm their author of the month, and there are discussion questions up on their boards (go there and weigh in on the "August" questions), visit the main site and tell your librarian about the downloadable poster and discussion questions, friend their myspace page and see their gorgeous background this month and listen to the songs I think of when I write the Violet books. So many options! Do what you have time for, then come back here and leave a comment saying what you noticed or weighed in on. I have so much love for the readergirlz, and I want everyone to join them--readerboyz too. Man, those z's crack me up. Here's the poster that you can download: Anyway, yay! Go get Violet in Private today! PS-Win a signed copy of Violet in Private here at Hope's Bookshelf. Good luck!

Violet in Private Release Week! Prize #1.

Okay, so every day this week I will be giving away a book that I've read and enjoyed. That's part 1 of the "release month" party that will happen on the blog. Each contest will run for one week, so comment all week to be entered and then I'll announce winners exactly a week later. First up is a signed copy of Linda Gerber's Death by Bikini, which has great action and more than a little romance (and holes in the cover! Woohoo!). When mysterious guests start arriving at the island resort where Aphra lives with her dad, she gets suspicious and wonders if the sketchy visitors have anything to do with her mom, who left their family a few years ago. And when a long-time guest ends up dead on the beach (strangled by bikini strings!), Aphra has some detective work to do--and fast. Doesn't it just scream summer fun? YES. So to win Death by Bikini, just comment below and tell me what your plans are for the (sniff) last month of summer! Oh, and visit Linda's blog, where she's giving away some awesome prizes this week. PS-Next week, I'll start giving away goodies from the Book Party Gift bag, which includes fun fashion and beauty treats--one each day, all month long! PPS-The grand prize will be a full trio of signed Violet books and a full book party gift bag from the Violet in Private party in NYC! How to win that? Official details up next week, but here's a hint: you have to make a tribute to Violet somehow. Ideas: make a flipbook on flip.com, create a poem, write a missing scene from Violet's life, post a virtual Violet collage, film a vlog or video trailer for the books. Just to give you a head start. End date will be 9/1.